Vnoukovo

Vnoukovo is a small municipality located in the Banská Bystrica Region of central Slovakia. It lies within the district of Žiar nad Hronom and is situated at an altitude of approximately 550 meters above sea level. The village sits amid rolling hills and forested areas, with the nearby Hronské pleso lake to the west and the Hronská dolina (Hron Valley) to the east. According to the most recent census, the population of Vnoukovo is 210 residents, with a demographic composition that reflects the typical rural makeup of the region, comprising mainly ethnic Slovaks with small representation of Roma and other minorities.

The earliest documented mention of Vnoukovo dates back to 1450, when it was recorded in the royal charter of King Matthias Corvinus. Over the centuries it remained a primarily agrarian community, with farming and forestry serving as the main livelihoods of its inhabitants. The 19th century brought modest industrialization to the area, including a small ironworks and a railway stop that connected Vnoukovo with larger urban centers. During the post-World War II era, the village underwent collectivization under the socialist regime, which altered land ownership patterns and agricultural practices.

Notable landmarks in Vnoukovo include the late Gothic Church of St. Michael, built in 1524, which houses a series of preserved medieval frescoes. The village also boasts the Vnoukovo Observatory, established in 1922, which is still used by amateur astronomers as a local viewing site. The surrounding forests and hills provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, and forestry-related businesses.